Ben Hogan’s Famous Compliment
In 1962, Ben Hogan called Pine Tree Golf Club 'the greatest flat course in America,' a single line of praise that instantly put the course in the national spotlight and has fueled the club’s mystique ever since.
The verdict
South Florida Strategy Sanctuary
Pine Tree Golf Club delivers a pure test of precision and patience on firm, fast, and unyielding parkland terrain. Dick Wilson’s design legacy lives at every tee, rewarding disciplined shot-making while inviting deep respect for its history and tournament pedigree.
Course DNA
Difficulty
90
Scenery62
Conditioning88
Shot Variety78
Walkability70
Green Complexity84
Wow Factor75
Design Quality81
At a glance
Quick facts
Founding membership
50 founding and 12 charter members
Former land use
Built on historic dairy farmland
Ben Hogan’s praise
"The greatest flat course in America"
Elite member roster
Club roster has included Sam Snead, Gary Woodland, Mickey Wright
Longest par 5
Hole 16 measures a monster 666 yards from the Black tee
Recent renovation
Bobby Weed & Scot Sherman, 2005 restoration
State ranking
Consistently ranks among Florida's top 25
USGA event host
1978 U.S. Senior Amateur host
The design
The architecture
Pine Tree Golf Club showcases Dick Wilson’s genius for coaxing strategy from the subtle Florida landscape. With no natural elevation, Wilson sculpted green sites and doglegs, infused each hole with artful bunkering, and demanded aerial precision. Renovations by Joe Lee, Ron Forse, and Bobby Weed have respected and enhanced this vision, ensuring today’s routing stays true to its midcentury parkland roots while maintaining fast firm conditions and punishing greens for the modern player.
Wilson’s reputation for strategy-first, visually honest parkland golf shines at Pine Tree, where every feature compels serious decision-making.
Defining features
- Complex, well-bunkered green sites
- Demanding but fair tee shots with shifting preferred angles
- Strategic doglegs through mature pines and palms
- Firm turf that rewards controlled carries and smart run-outs
- Legendary endurance test at the 666-yard 16th
- Championship routing that balances balance and risk
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 10
The Long March
PAR
4
YARDAGE
507
At 507 yards, the 10th is a mammoth par 4 demanding a powerful, pinpoint tee ball to set up an approach to a deep, well-defended green. Sloping fairway contours and a large green complex ensure every part of your long game is tested right out of the turn.
Play it smart
Favor left-center off the tee to avoid tree trouble and give yourself a full look up the green; be mindful of wind and ground firmness.
Where it bites
Miss right and you’ll tangle with trees or a buried bunker shot; playing long leaves a devilish up-and-down.
Course management
Shots to think about
Long par 4 approaches (10, 12, 18)
Club up and play to the safe side—par saves are hard-earned with tough greenside surrounds.
Teeing off on 16
Don’t be tempted to overpower it; instead, split the par 5 into manageable segments and play for position.
Short approaches on par 4s like 15
Don’t gamble for the tucked pin—miss on the safe side and avoid compounding mistakes.
Greenside recovery from deep bunkers
Commit to a full-swing escape and accelerate—hesitation is punished, especially on firm sand.
Approaching the 13th par 3
Take dead aim at the center; the green repels anything hit without conviction or control.
Exposed mid-iron shots on front nine
Factor for swirling South Florida crosswinds—even on still days, check the tall pines for subtle shifts.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Immaculate fairways, tight lies, and brisk rolling greens maintained to the highest private-club standards.
Pace
Efficient member pace—expect a brisk and steady round without delays.
Vibe
Traditional but welcoming—old-school club values mixed with understated Florida hospitality.
Dress code
Standard country-club golf attire is expected.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Sharpen Mid- and Long-Iron Play
You’ll face multiple approach shots over 180 yards—practice trajectory control and distance gap management.
02
Bunker Escape Confidence
Green complexes are protected by deep, well-placed bunkers; groove your sand technique before you go.
03
Dial in Speed Putting
Greens run quick and true—work on two-putting from range, especially from above the hole.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1961
Pine Tree Golf Club founded by South Florida golf visionaries
- 1961
Dick Wilson completes original design and course opening
- 1962
Ben Hogan dubs Pine Tree “the greatest flat course in America"
- 1978
Hosts U.S. Senior Amateur Championship
- 1990
Course remodeled by Joe Lee
- 1997
Ron Forse directs further restoration
- 2005
Bobby Weed and Scot Sherman re-grass and reconstruct bunkers
- 2023
Serves as U.S. Open Final Qualifier site
Stories & legends
What makes it special
A Magnet for Champions
Throughout its history, Pine Tree’s member rolls have included a who’s-who of champions—think Sam Snead, Tommy Armour, Mickey Wright, and Gary Woodland—making its locker room historic in its own right.
66th Hole: The Legendary Monster
Hole 16’s 666-yard length is more than a number—it’s a badge of golfing honor, daring the brave to tackle its length and navigate its strategic perils for a heroic closing charge.
Restoration With Respect
When Bobby Weed and Scot Sherman undertook the 2005 restoration, their mission was clear: preserve Dick Wilson’s strategic DNA while updating every green, tee, fairway, and bunker for the modern game.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Seen by many as Dick Wilson’s Florida masterpiece.
2
Hole 16’s yardage—666—is both a mental and physical test.
3
Several Hall of Famers have called Pine Tree home over the decades.
4
Bunkering and strategy remain true to Wilson’s original 1961 vision.
5
No water features shape play—pure parkland strategy is the star.
Build the trip
Golfing South Florida’s Classic & Contemporary Gems
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
The Champion Course at PGA National
Resort
Home of the Bear Trap and frequent host of the PGA Tour Honda Classic
The Breakers Rees Jones Course
Resort/Public
Premier resort play with pristine conditions and a top-tier Florida experience
Abacoa Golf Club
Public
Accessible, fun, and well-routed public golf nearby
Wellington National Golf Club
Public
Modern challenge with easy access and strong conditions
Banyan Cay Resort & Golf
Resort/Public
Convenient stay-and-play option in West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach or Palm Beach Gardens for the best combination of lodging, dining, airport, and proximity to both Pine Tree and area favorites.
Course DNA
If You Like Pine Tree Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.6
Congressional Country Club (Blue Course)
Bethesda, MarylandDifficultyConditioning
Why it matches: If Pine Tree Golf Club is your kind of course, Congressional Country Club (Blue Course) is worth a look because it brings a comparable level of challenge and puts the same premium on presentation.
Strong DNA Match8.1
Wilmington Country Club
Wilmington, DelawareDifficultyConditioning
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Wilmington Country Club asks for the same disciplined decision-making and offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Pine Tree Golf Club.
Strong DNA Match8.7
Oak Tree National Golf Club
Edmond, OklahomaDifficulty
Why it matches: If Pine Tree Golf Club is your kind of course, Oak Tree National Golf Club is worth a look because it brings a comparable level of challenge.
Community Sentiment
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